Louis Madrigal Jr.

Louis Madrigal, Jr., 84, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on Tuesday, September 22, 2026. He was born in Houston, Texas on April 19, 1942, the second of eight children to Luis R. Madrigal and Maria Theresa Delgado Madrigal. He was a longtime resident of League City, Texas where he was a member of St. Mary of the Expectation parish.

An exuberant youth, his mother would often pay the neighborhood kids a quarter to find him and bring him home where she would meet him on the porch with a hand on one hip and a wagging finger. Louis attended Jeff Davis High School where he met the love of his life, Anita Lira. He left school just shy of graduation to join the United States Marine Corps where he served in Sasebo and Atsuki Japan for 4 years. Set and determined to marry Anita upon his return, he wasn’t prepared for her “No” the first or second time. Finally relenting, the two were married on May 2, 1965. They began their family almost immediately with a son arriving in January 1966 and a daughter in August 1967. Together they built a loving home filled with laughter, commitment to family, and a shared faith. Louis was mechanically inclined and worked well with his hands. He retired from the University of Houston in 2011 after 27 years of service as the HVAC Systems manager. Retirement found him playing golf, fishing, going to the movies, organizing the house so it made sense (according to him), and enjoying his grand pups. He could often be found tinkering with something in his garage/shop. He and Anita enjoyed going on cruises and spending time with their friends. He was a dedicated husband, father, and friend who often went out of his way to help – including wading through knee deep water to rescue his grand cat after Hurricane Harvey. He was a loving, kind, compassionate, witty, no nonsense, well-grounded soul who had a love/hate relationship with our local professional sports teams, could smoke pork ribs like nobody’s business, and mix tamale masa just like his mom taught him. He also had a fondness for old cars, war movies, and Mexican food. While his decade long battle with Lewy Body Dementia curtailed much of what he thought retirement would look like for the two of them, he never lost his sense of humor or fighting spirit.

Louis is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Anita Lira Madrigal, son David Madrigal and husband David Palma, and daughter Raquel Madrigal. He was a loving “Grand Paw” to Brady, Dixie, and his fierce protector Kono. He leaves behind brothers Juan, Javier, Hector, and their families; as well as numerous friends, former colleagues, and beloved in laws. He is preceded in death by his parents, and siblings Francisco, Lucila, Ricardo, and Rosario.

Louis’ family would like to thank his physician at the Nantz National Alzheimer Center Gustavo Román, MD, UTMB physician Anna Rotkiewicz, MD, the Staff at Living Hope Hospice and Silver Linings Hospice for their excellent care and commitment to him during his illness. A heartfelt “thank you” to his caretaker Marquitta Harper for the compassionate care she provided to him in his final days. We couldn’t have done it without her.

To honor Louis’ fight and continue his legacy, in lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests that donations be made in his memory to either the Apollo Respite Program at St. Thomas the Apostle Episcopal Church in Nassau Bay, Texas or the Alzheimer’s Association.

Louis will be interred in a private ceremony at Houston National cemetery.